Acetylene-gas generator.



atented July 39, 19M,

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.'

AGETYLENE GAS GENERATOR. EPLIUATION PELBD .E

C. W. BECK,

AGBTYLENB GAS GENERATOR.

APPLIOATION FILED :manA 17, 190s,l

Patented July 30, E212.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

waff/vm@ C. W. BECK.

AGETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

APPLIOATIQN FILED 151113.17, 1908.

1,033,863. v Patented July 30,1912.

3 SHEETS-SHEBT 3.

za 477 o A TTOHNE ya' TINTTE TATES CHARLES Vif. EECK, OF ROCKVILLE CENTER, NEW' YORK, .ASSTGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO GXWELD ACETYLENE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF Jl/'EST VIRGINIA.

ACETYLENE-GAS GENERATOR.

ASpecification of Letters Patent.

raient-ea may so, wie.

Applcaton'lad February 17, 1908. Serial No. 416,252.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES Wr. BECK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rockville Center, county ofA Nassau, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Acetylene- Gas Generators, of Which the following is a specification, reference'being had therein to the accompanying drawings, in Which- Figure l is a vertical sectional vienT of my improved generator, the carbid holder being shown in side elevation; Fig. 2 a side elevation of the generator; Fig. 3 a vertical sectional view ofthe carbid holder showing its connection with the Water holder; Fig. t a plan vieiv of the detachable valve seatI casing; Fig. 5 1a detail perspective vieu' of the means for moving the carbid, holder away from the Water holder and for supporting the carbid holder; Fig. G a detail plan view of the guard. ring; Fig. 7 a transverse sectional view of the guard ring; Fig. 8 a. detail of the float; and Fig. 9, adetail view of the locking doe'.

This invention relates to improvements in carbid feed acetylene gas generators Wherein carbid is fed to Water in response to changes or variations in gas pressure or volume.

One o f the main objects of the invention is to provide such a generator Wherein thecharging dev-ice will be entirely dispensed with and the carbid holder permanently sealed except, of course, as thesaid carbid holder may be in communication with the water holder and the generating chamber.

As carbid feed acetylene gas generators have been heretofore constructed the carbid holder was provided with a charging device which permitted the carbid holder to be charged withcarbid. This charging device usually' was only a cap or other detachable closure means for sealing a charging open-- ing formed in the top or upper part of the carbid holder. Charging devices; of this character are a source of greatdanger, and many devices have been designed to lock said so called charging devices closed during the operation of t-he generator and to prevent the opening of said charging devices except under proper conditions. There is also great danger of gas leakage be cause of the improper titting of the external caps or charging devices. To avoid these objections and ditliculties I have designed a gene ator in which the external charging device or cap is entirely dispensed with. This enables me to conipletely and permanently seal the carbid holder except ofcourse, as the same may bc in commimication with the generating chamber and water holder. By this means I avoid the necessity of locking the carbid charging device, and avoid all danger of gas leakage through saiddevice.

A further object of the invention is to provide a generator wherein the carbid holder must be completely detached from the generating chamber and water holder before it may be recharged. l prefer to so form my carbid holder thaty itl may beA charged 'through its bottom, and to so place the charging opening that the carbid holder will be sealed and the charging opening cntirely inclosed when" the carbid holder is connected to the vvater holder or generating chamber, whereby the carbid holder must.- be'detached from the Water holder before it can be recharged. By this means l prevent the feeding of carbid during the operation of yrecharging the carbid holder and provide an opening through which fresh Water may be introduced into the water holder, whereby the generating chamber and Water holder and carbid holder may be entirely sealed except for the one opening ythrough 'Which the carbid is fed and by Which the tivo parts of the generator are placed in communication with each other. Itis obvious that this reduces the danger ofI 90 gas leakage to a minimum and prevents the recharging of the apparatus with either carbid or Vvvate'r when the feed mechanism is' in operative position.

A further Aobject of the invention is to provide means whereby when the carbid holder and the Water holder are disconnect.- ed from each other and the water holder has been emptied the two holders cannot be connected together until .the Water holder 100 has been properly charged With water to a predetermined level. The advantages of this feature of my invention are obvious.

Another object oit the invention is to pro vide meansfor controlling the flush-out '105 valve whereby the Water holder mustI be discharged or emptied each time the carbid holder is being recharged, said flush-out valve being closed before the carbid holder can be reconnected to the water holder. The

end ofthe teed chute purpose 'of this is to force the cleaning of the residuuin` from the water holder every time the carbid holder is recharged.

lThere are other objects of the invention which ot' impe tance and which will be more fully hereinai.' set forth.

Referring to the various parts by numerals, 1 designates the water holder, the upper t of which constitu es a generating chamber; and 2 the car To the bio. holder. upper part of the water holder is secured a downwardly enlarging neel: 3 which constitutes a feed chute and condenser through which carbid is fed from the carbid holder and through which water is introduced into 'the water holder when charging the appai'atus. n

The inner wall of the tecd chute constitutes a condensing surface on which the moisture from the gas will be condensed when the gas contacts therewith. The outer surface of ythis feed chute below the top of the water holder also constitutes a con.- densing surface on which moisture 'carried bythe gas will be condensed. The .lower end of the feed chute extends a suitable distance down into the water holder and below the top wall thereof so that the condensed moisture will be led by said wall to a point within the water holder and below the top Awall thereof.' This downwardly projecting portion or the feed chute also serves as a protector and prevent-s, to some extent, water splashing upward to the feed valve.

The lower end of the carbid holder is detachably connected to the upper contracted by means which are readily separable and which will be more fully hereinafter' described. ln the bottoni ot the carbid holder and below its connection with the. neck that it will be entirely inclosed within 'the generator when the two parts are connected together is a feeding and discharging opening This feed opening constitutes also a charging opening whereby carbid is charged into the carbid holder when 'the two parts of the ay parat-us are disconnected and 'the carbid holder is inverted. Except for this feeding and charging opening the carbid holder is hermetically sealed above the joint ring whereby access to its interior can be had only by disconnecting the carbid holder from the water hlder and then inverting the carbid holder. lThis is a very important feature ot my invention. ln the drawings l have shown a carbid holder formed with a single feeding and charging opening? 2a, said opening' being a feeding opening when the generator is in operation and a charging opening when the carbid holder is detached from the water holder and inverted. It will be readily understood, however, that in generators of large size it may desirable to have a charging opening in of which 4vroaches addition to the feeding opening so that the feed valve need not ble-.displaced each time the carbid holder is recharged. In this case, however, lthe charging opening will be formed below the connecting ring and in such a position that it will be entirely in` closed within the generating chamber when the two parts of the generator are connected together. Across the top of the carbid holder is secured a flexible diaphragm 4 to 'the center is connected the stein 5 of the feed valve G. Below the diaphragm is secured a rigid wall 7; and above the diaphragm is a protecting wall 7a. rl`hese walls inclose the diaphragm and lilnit its movements in response to changes in gas pressure, the upper wall 7 protecting it when it is raised by gas pressure, and the lower wall 7 supporting it when the gas pressure is reduced and the diaphragm is depressed. To the center of the lower wall 7 is connected a central depending tubular housing or protector 8 through which the valve stein 5 extendsand by which said stein is protected from the carbid. lVithin this housing is arranged a coil spring 9, one end of which is secured to the valve stem, or to the diaphragm, its other end being connected to the housing near t-he lower end thereof, this spring norially holds t-he diaphragm and the valve connected thereto depressed, 'or in their lower positions. The wall "r' is depressed around the upper end of the housing 8 to forni a condensation well 10. This ,well is connected to the gas space below the carbid holder by a pipe 11. Gas from the generating chamber will flow freely through said i ipe to the chamber below the diaphragm so that the gas pressure in the generating chamber and the chamber below the diaphragm will. be equal gas pressure in the generating chamber will. almost immediately talie place in the chambor directly below the diaphragm. rlhis pipe 11 also serves as a drain through which the water ot' condensation collected in the well will pass down into the water holder. The lower end oi the housing 8 is closed by a flexible closure device 12 which frictionally engages the steni and prevents carbid passing intosaid housing when the carbid holder is inverted and charged, as will be more fully hereinafter described.

The upper end of the neck 3 or feed-chute is provided with a joint ring 13, a co-acting joint ring 15 being connected to the lower end of the carbid holder, this latter ring carrying a gasket'l by which the gas-tight joint between "said rings is secured. The lower ring 13 is formed with a serios of upstanding annular ribs on which the gasket 16 rests, said nection between thel gasket and said ring.

The lower end ol the carbid holder is and any changes in,

ribs insuring a'gas-tight cony feed opening 2a.

downwardly tapered and terminates at the Secured vto the outer side of said holder-below the joint ring l5, and adapted to be inclosed within the feed chute 3,15 a valve holding ring 17. A valve-seat casing 18 is provided at its upper end with slots 19.*whic`h are adapted to engage headed studs 20 carried by the valve ring, whereby' the valve seat casing is detachably connected to the valve-holding ring. A valve ring 18a is carried by the valve seat casing 1S, the opening throughthe valve ring being adapted to receive the feed valve 6. rhis opendiameter of the feeding and charging opening Quin the bottom of the carbid holder, whereby when the feed valve casing is removedthe larger charging opening will be uncovered.:

The valve 6 is provided with two stops 6a and 6b with an intermediate reduced part between them, said 'stops being so positioned that the upper one will stop the feed when thefdiaphragm'is depressed, and the lower one will stop 1t when .the diaphragm is raised','carbid being fed when the valve is -shafts are connected together by a rocking frame 26, whereby both of said shafts may be simultaneously rocked in their bearings to turn the eccentrics inl the links 2l. The upper ends of the links'l are connected to 'the carbid holder by means of pins 27, said ins forming pivotal supports for the carbid holder, whereby said carbid holder may be inverted when it is detached from the water holder, as will be hereinafter described. It' will thus be seen that by swinging downward the rocking frame the eccentrics will be so rotated as to draw down-` ward the links Q1 and the lower end of the carbid holder down on the upper part ofl the neck 3, the two joint rings being brought together to form a gastight joint, andFpby moving the rocking frame upward the ation of the parts will be reversed and thewo parts 4ot the generator separated. The such that the carbid holder and its valve will be freed from the water holder topermit it to be rotated on its pivots. It will also be understood that any suitable means may be employed for clamping the carbid holder to the water holder, the means shownl being used merely by way of illustration, and as a convenient meansl for accomplishing the described result.

ing is of much smaller diameter than thev consequently force hrow of the 'eccentrics is.

.Connected to the valve stem above the diaphragmelis a lever 28, pivoted at 29 and provided v,with a depending` arm 30. By meansofthis lever the feed valve may be reciprocated. lt is desirable to provide means for automatically closing lthe feed valve .and locking it closed when the two parts of the generator are separated and to hold it in its locked position until the two parts of the generator are connected. The object of this is to make it impossible to start the feed mechanism when the two parts ofthe generator are separated and until they are .securely clamped together. To accomplish this Iprovide means-adapted to be operated through the rocking frame 26. This means consists of a slide 3Q provided with an operating lug This slide is mounted to move vertically in one of the standards Q3 and is connected to the frame 'Q6 bya link 33 so that it has a vertical movementwhen said rocking trame is operated. Mounted tofslide. vertically on the side of the carbid holder is a locking dog 3l. This dog is provided with upwardly and outwardly beveled cam surface 3la at its upper end,.and with a vertical recess or opening 31b between said beveled portion and the side of the carbid holder. This locking dog is also provided in its outer edge with the horizontal slot 31 which is adapted to receive the lug Si on the opera-ting slide. When the rocking frame is raised, the locking dog, by reason of its connection with the slide 3Q, moves upwardly and the beveled surface 31EL thereof engages the end of the lever arm 30 and forces said arm inwardly toward the carbid holder. Said arm is received in the 'vertical opening or slot in the dog after thej'beieled surface of the dog has passed upward beyond the end of said lever. When the rocking frame is swung downward the movement of the locking dos; is reversed and the lever arm 30 released. The spring connected to the diaphragm will, when the lever arm is released, throw said lever arn'i outwardly. Y

lt is desirable that th rfeed valve shall not be released from the locking dog until the two parts of the generator have been clamped together .by `the movement ofthe rocking frame 26. To insure this I pivot across the top of the locking dogan inwardly swinging latch. 32 which is held in its normal or closed position byl means of a small spring 32". It will be noted that when the locking dog is `raised the end of the lever arm 30 wil-l engage the latch on its outer surfaceand' swing said `latch inwardly as the said arm travels -down the beveled surface 31a. -Wheln the locking dog hasreached the limit of'its upward movementthe latch will enter a recess or slot 32 and will then be permitted to' swing'out.- l wardly to its normal position. It will thus be seen that when the locking dog is again moved downward by the rocking frame, and the two parts ot the generator are clamped together, the latch is on the outer-'side of the arm thereby holding said arm in and the valve closed until after said latch is moved below the lower end of the lever. The latch is so mounted that it cannot swing outwardly, but is free to swing inwardly when engaged by. the lever during the upward movement of the locki 0 dog.

The lug 34 on the slide is loosely engaged in the slot of the locking dog in order to permit the carbidy holder to be swung down on its standards. It will be readily seen that the locking dog will be disconnected from the slide by the swinging movement ofy the carbid holder; and that when the carbid holder is returned to its normal vertical position the slide will be brought back and the lug 34 engaged in the slot 31C. When the lug is disconnected from the locking dog the said dog will be maintained in its position by the outward pressure of the lever the-reon. It will be readily understood that the spring 9 connected to the valve will exert sutlicient force on the lever to hold the do vnected to a crank 40 of 31 in holder.

To permit the carbid holder to be swung down to one side of the water holder to a convenient position to charge it with carbid the standards 23 are jointed near their lower ends, as at 35, these joints being in theform of rule joints so that when the standards are brought to anl upright position the carbid holder is in proper position to be connected to the water holder. A hinged and jointed position on the side of the carbi brace 36 serves to hold the standardsin their upright positions.

The bottom ot'th'e water holder is inclined inwardly and downwardly to a central discharge pipe; 37. This pipe is closed by valve 38 mounted on the upper end-of a valve stem 39. The lower end of this stem is cona rock shaft 41, whereby the discharge pipe 37 will be opened or closedaccording to the movement ot' the rock shaft. This rock shaft is provided with a crank 42 which is connected by a rod 43 to a. crank 44 mounted on a short shaft 45 carried by the rigid portion 23au of one of the standards 23.` On the shaft 45 is secured a small gearv 46 which meshes with a geared segment 47 4carried by the pivot 4S of the standard 23. The segment and the gear are so proportioned with respect to each other that the gear will be given a one-half turn when'the carbid holder is swun down to receive its charge of carbid. It wlll thus be seen that when the upper parts of the standards are swung forwardly and downwardly to lower the carbid holder the dis-l charge valve will be opened through the segment 47, gear 46, cranks 44 and 42, 'and the connecting rod 43. lt is also clear that when the standards are moved to their upright position to permit the carbid holder to be again'connected to the water holder the discharge valve will be again closed. This is a great advantage in that it insures the fresh charging of the water holder for each fresh charge of carbid placed in the carbid holder.

rlhe water holder is provided with a false bottom 45 which inclines upwardly and ine wardly7 and together with the true bottom of the water holder forms a gas cooling and condensing chamber 49 into which the gas passes through pipe 50. rEhe rock .shaft 41 is continued through the lower end of this chamber and is formed with an aperture 51 which serves as an outlet valve to permit the condensation water to escape from the cooling chamber when the discharge valve 38 is open. The chamber 49 is provided with a gas outlet pipe 49a through which the gas may pass to the service pipes.

In the water holder is mounted a vertically movable tloat 52 on an upright rod 53, said rod being twisted longitudinally so that the float will be given a slight rotation during its vertical movement. llhe oat carries the substantially horizontal nger 54 which engages a rod 55 during the vertical movement of the ioat. N ear its upper end and within the feed chute 3 the rod 55 is pivoted atG. The upper end et' the rod 55 loosely engages a horizontal freely lugs 5S carried bythe feed per end thereof. The guard ring is provided with -diametrically opposite slots 59. The carbid holder is wardly extending diametrically opposite lugs 60 which are adapted to pass through the slots I59 ot the guard ring, as shown clearly in Fig.

In operation when the water in the water holder is at the proper level, the lloatis near the upper end of the vertical rod 53 and the rod 55 is held in such a position that the slots. 59 of the guard ring will register with 3 and in dotted lines in lthe lugs 60 carried by the carbid holder.

When the water is drained from the water holderthe float drops on the rod and is given a partial rotation and the linger 54 swings the rod 55 laterally on its pivot and partially rotatesw the guard ring. rhis movement of the guard ring takes the slot' 59 out of register with the lugs on the carbid provided with out-- movable guard ring 57 which is loosely supported between' chute at the up,

holder so that it will be impossible to replace the carbid holder on the water'holder until the float has been raised to its proper height. It will, of course, be understood that the water cannot be drained from the water holder until the carbid holder has been deso that the guard ringl tached therefrom,

will not lock the carbid holder' to the water soy vindicator as well as serving to prevent the connection of the two parts untill the water holder is properly filled. lt will also be seen that, as-the feed valve cannotbe released for operation until the two parts of the generator are connected together, it will .be impossible not only to connect the two parts of the generator, but to Vrelease the feeding means until the water holder is filled with water to the proper level. This is a very vimportant feature of my invention. I consider it of special. importance to automaticallY lock the feeding means and maintain it loclted until the generator is properly charged for operation. To recharge the apparatus the rocking frame Q6 is raised thereby moving upward the slide 32 and dog 3l, bringing the. dog into engagementl with the lever arm 30. The feed valve is closed, through the lever, and the carbid holder is lifted sufficiently to'permit it to be rotated on its pivots 27. The upper parts of the standard 23 are then swung forward to lower the carbid holder within convenient reach of the operator and to permit it to be inverted. The valve ring is then removed and the carbid holder charged through its lower end. The movement of the upper parts of the standards 23 opens the flush-out valve 3S and also the drainage valve 5l. After recharging the carbid holder the valve seat is replaced 'and the standards 23. returned to their normal upright positions. This closes` the flush-out valve and the drainage valve so that the water holder may be recharged with fresh water to bring the guard ring to proper position. 'Vater is run into the water holder through the upper end thereof before the carbid holder is brought down intoposition to be clamped thereto. The water holder may be charged before the carbid holder is returned to its normal 4upright or operative position. After the water holder is fully charged the carbid holder is then rotated on its pivots to restore it to its normal upright position.

over the water holder and the rockingfframe is then swung downward. This clamps the two parts of the generator together and releases the lever may be depressed and moved to its open position by the spring 9. The feed valve will be closed automatically when the desired pressure has been secured.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim asnew and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is tf".

1. An acetylene gasgenerator comprising an upper carbid holder, a lower water porting the arm 30 so that the valve 6- holder, means for detachably connecting ,to-

gether said parts, a feed mechanism, meansl whereby said feed mechanism will be auto niatirally locked when the two parts of the generator are separated, the carbid holder .being hcrn'u'tically sealed above vils connection with the water holder whereby yit can be recharged only when it is disconnected from the `water holder.

2. An acetylene gas generator comprising a water holder, a carbid holder above the. water holder, means for feeding carbid, means for detachably connecting thecarbid holder to the water holder, and means for simultaneously separating the two parts of the generator and locking the feed in its inoperative position.

3. A carbid feed acetylene gas generator comiirising a water holder, a carbid holder,'

means for detachably connecting said holder to the water` holder, a feed mechanism adapted to feed carbid through the bottom of .the carbid holder. said carbid holder being adapted to be charged through its bottom, and means for rotatably supporting said holder.

4. A.. carbid feed acetylene gas generator comprising a carbid holder hermetically sealed except for its connection with the water holder, and means for rotatably mounting said carbid holder whereby it may be inverted for charging.

5. An acetylene gas generator comprising a carbid holder, a feed mechanism operating in response to changes in gas pressure, means for vdetachably connecting the carbid holder to the water holder, and means for automatically locking the feed when the carbid holder is separated from the water holder.

(i. An acetylene gas generator comprising a water holder, a carbid holder, means for pivotally supporting said carbid holder, and means vf or vertically moving said carbid holder to disconnect it from the water holder.

7 An acetylene gas generator comprising a carbid holder, means for pivotally snpsame, the carbid holder beingr hermetica'll'y sealed except at. its lower end where it is adapted to be connected to a 'water holder, and means for detachably conneet-ing said carbid holder to a waterholder 8. An acetylene gas generator comprising a carbid holder, means for pivotally supporting the same, the carbid holder being hermeticallysealed except at its lower end where it is adapted to be connected to a water holder, means for detachably connecting said carbid holder to a water holder, and means operating to interrupt. the carbid feed when the carbid holder is disconnected from the water holder.

9. An acetylene gas generator comprising a water holder, a carbid holder hermetically clamping means also serving as a lifting means, clampingI means tolodk the feed when `the generator is open.

23. A carbid feed acetylene gas generator comprising a carbid holder adapted to be' charged through its bottom, means for connecting and disconnecting said carbid holder to ya water holder, said connecting means `serving. also as a means" for lifting the car'-v bid holder lfree ofthe water holder when opening the generator.

24. Agcarbid feed acetylene gas generator comprising a carbid holder, a water'ho-lder,

`means for supporting the carbid holder to permit itto be moved to one side ofthe water holder, a flush-out valve in the water holder, and vmeans operatively connected to .the carbid holder for opening said valve .when the carbid holder is moved4 away from the water ho-lder and for closing said valve when the carbid holder is moved. back into position over the water holder.

25. -A' carbid feed acetylene gas generator comprisn'g a carbid holder, a water' holder, means for detachablyco-nnecting the carbid holder to the water holder, swinging supports for the carbid holder, a iiush-out valve in the water holder, and means for opening and closing said flush-out, valve when the carbid holder is moved in its swinging supports.

26. An acetylene gas generator comprising an upper carbid holder, a lower water holder, means for drawing the carbid holder to the water holder to form a gas-tight connection therewith, said means serving to ing a water holder, a carbid holder,

support 'the carbid holderwhen it is disconnected from the water holder.

27. An Vacetylenegas generator comprising a water holder, a' detachable carbid holder, and a cam actuated means for forcing the carbid 'holder .toward the water holder to form la gas tight connection between said parta-said means serving to support the carbid holder disconnected from the water holder.

28. An; acetylene gas generator comprisa joint ring between the two, and cam actuated means for. vertically moving v holderito connect anddisconnect the carbid holder vfrom the water holder:

29. An acetylene gas generator. compris? ing a water holder, a carbid holder, a joint ring between the two,4 cam vactuated means for vertically moving the 'carbid holder, and means forv rotatably supporting the carbidy holder, whereby it may be-in.-

'verted when disconnected from the wat-er 30. An. acetylene gas vgenerator comprising a water holder, a carbid holder, a carbid feed mechanism, means for moving the carbid holder to disconnect it fromnthe,w'ater` and meansY actuated from said' the carbid .the ele@ holder, and means actuated by the carbid holder moving means to lockthe feed mechanism when the carbid holder' is moved.

Y 31. An acetylenel gas generator comprising' a water holder, a. carbid holder, calnactuated means for vertically moving the 'carbid holder' to detach it from the Water holder, a feed-mechanism, and means operated from the carbid lholder-moving means to lock the feed mechanism when the carbid holder is separated fromthe water holder.

, 32.`An acetylene gas generator comprisinga wat-er holder, a 'carbid holder, cam actuated means for vertically moving the carbidholderI to Idetach it from the water holder, a'feed mechanism, and means operated fro-m the carbid holder-moving means to lock'the feedmechanism when the carbid holder is separated from the water holder, and means independent of the cam-actuated means for holding the feed in its locked position'.

33. An acetylene gasgenerator compris- -ing a water holder, afc'arbid holder, means for supporting the carbid holder above trie .water holderindependently of its detachable connection Vto the water holder, means for-detachably clamping the carbid holder to the water holder, and means connected to and movable with said clamping, means to interrupt the carbid feed when the carbid holder is detached' from the water holder.

34. Anncet'ylenegas Igenerator comprising a water holder, a carbid holder, means for feeding carbid 'into-the water holder, a

flush-out valve inthe bottom of the water holder, a condensation chamber formed at the bottom-,ofthe water holder, the bottom ,of the water holder constitutingt-he top of the condensation chamber, a drainage valve for the condensation chamber, and means for. simultaneously operating a flush-out -valve and the valve in the condensation chamber.

.An acetylene gas generator comprising a water holder, a carbid holder having a charging -opening at its lower end whereby vthe chargingv4 opening will be inclosed withwhen the jtwo in the 'generating chamber the carbid cannot be connected together until the float has been raised to a predetermined position.

37. An acetylene gas generator prising a water holder, f carbid holder detachably connected. to the water holder, a guard ring normally permitting the carbid holder to be attached to the water hol/ler, and means whereby the guard ring will be moved to prevent the connection of said tivo holders when the water is below a predetermined level.

38. An acetylene gas generator comprising a water holder, a carbid holder, means for detachably connecting said holders together, a guard device, and means to move said device to prevent the connection of said two holders when the water is below a predetermined level in the water holder.

39. An acetylene gas generator comprising a water holder, a carbid holder, means for detachably comiecting together said holders, and means' to prevent the connection of said two holders when the water is below a predetermined level in the water holder.

Ll-O. An acetylene generator comprising a water holder, a carbid holder, means for movably supporting said carbid holder, mechanism for connecting the carbid. holder to the water holder, a flush-ont valve in the bottom of the water holder when disconnected from. the water holder, and means whereby said valve will be opened when the carbid holder is moved on its support away from the water holder.

el. An acetylene gas generator comprising a water holder, a carbid holder, means for connecting the carbid holder to the Water holder, a discharge valve in the bottoni of the water holder, and means operated by the movement of the carbid in' 'ler for opening said discharge valve when the carbid holder is removed from the water holder.

i-2.' An acetylene gas generator comprising a water holder,l a carbid. holder, means for connecting said holders together in` or erative relation, and means carried by one of said holders and oliieratinp' until. said holder is charged, to prevent the two holders being connected together in operative rela.- tion.

43. An acetylene gas ygenerator comprising a water holder, a carbid holder detachably connected to the Water holder, a flushout valve i i. the bottom of t water holder, means for opening said flush-out valve by a carbid holder 'the movement of thecarhid holder when disconnected froin the Water holder, and means to prevent the .connection of the carbid holder and the water holder until the water holder is charged.

fle. A. carbid feed acetylene generator comprising a water holder provided with an opening through which carbid'may be fed, adapted to be charged through its bottoni, means for clamping the bottom of said carbid holder over the 'opening in the water holder to seal said opening, a pressure controlled carbid feeding means adapted to discharge carbid from the bottom of the carbid holder into the water holder, socket actuated means carried by the water 4holder and arranged to prevent the connection of the carbid holder to the water holder. until the water holder has been charged-to a predetermined depth, means to lock thc carbid. feeding means, and means to prevent the unlocking of said feeding means when the carbid holder is in Vertical position directly over and disconnected from the.

water holder.

45. A carbid feed acetylene gas generator comprising a water holder provided with an opening through which carbid may be fed` a.

carbid holder adapted to be clamped to the water holder to close the feeding' opening therein, afeed valve in t-he carbid holder, means for 'clamping the carbid holder to the Water holder, a feed valve locking means and means for locking the feed valve When the carbid holder is separated from the water holder.

46. A carbid feed acetylene gas generator comprising a water holder provided with an opening through which carbid may be fed, a carbid holder adapted to be charged through its bott-om, means for clamping the bottoni of said carbid holder over the opening in the water helder to seal said opening, a pressure controlled feeding means, and a float actuated means controlled by the Water in the water hodcr and arranged to prevent the connection or the carbid holder to the water holder until. the water is charged therein to predetermined depth.

ln testimony whereof I hereunto aiiix my signature' in the presence of two Witnesses this 15th day of February 1908.

CHARLES WV. BECK. Witnesses A. K. KAPPES, M. GoLnNIcK. 

